Arched bridge construction

ABSTRACT

A unitary arch construction including a pair of arched longitudinal opposite side structural members interconnected by crossed diagonal bracing members secured therebetween by bolting. The structural members define opposing inwardly directed shoulders extending therealong and elongated transversely extending decking members extend between, overlap and are secured to the shoulder defining portions of the longitudinal structural members at closely adjacent points spaced therealong. Also, the radius of curvature of the arched longitudinal members is substantially equal to twice the span length thereof, whereby structural strength for vertical load supporting capacity is afforded in an arch construction suitable for use in the construction of a bridge whose basic side elevation presents an extremely pleasing appearance and the approach angles at the ends of different length bridges will remain constant.

United States Patent [1 1' Wadsworth Oct. 30, 1973 ARCHED BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION Brenton H. Wadsworth, 1204 Garfield Ave., Aurora, 111. 60506 22 Filed: Jan.3,1972

21 Appl. No.: 214,864

[76] lnventor:

440,490 11/1890 Mitchell... 14/73 X 678,239 7/1901 Gilfillan 14/73 l,139 ,240 5/1915 Wiche 14/72 2,701 7/l867 Hammond et a1. 14/73 X 227,834 5/1880 Quinby 14/72 Primary ExaminerNile C. Byers, Jr. Att0meyl-larvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT A unitary arch construction including a pair of arched longitudinal opposite side structural members interconnected by crossed diagonal bracing members secured therebetween by bolting. The structural mem bers define opposing inwardly directed shoulders extending therealong and elongated transversely extending decking members extend between, overlap and are secured to the shoulder defining portions of the longitudinal structural members at closely adjacent points spaced therealong. Also, the radius of curvature of the arched longitudinal members is substantially equal to twice the span length thereof, whereby structural strength for vertical load supporting capacity is afforded in an arch construction suitable for use in the construction of a bridge whose basic side elevation presents an extremely pleasing appearance and the approach angles at the ends of different length bridges will remain constant.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENIEnncmma r 3768;108-

SHEET 10F 2 PATENIEUumsoms 3.768.108

SHEET 2 OF 2 lllllllillilfilllli ARCHED BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION The bridge construction of the instant invention has been primarily designed as a light to medium duty bridge that maybe readily constructed and shipped in disassembled form and erected on location with a minimum of preparation and by even inexperienced persons without great effort. The bridge construction is further designed to support a load of approximately 70 pounds per square foot or the equivalent of 10,000 pounds for a 25-foot span, 14,000 pounds on a 35-foot span, and 18,000 pounds on a 45-foot span. Further, the bridge construction, because of its simplicity and gracefulness in appearance may readily complement substantially all environments in which it may be used.

The main object of this invention is to provide a bridge construction that may be readily manufactured and shipped in disassembled form and subsequently erected on location with a minimum of effort and preparation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bridge construction utilizing simple structural members secured together and so formed to result in a bridge of simple lines and pleasing appearance that may readily complement substantially any environment in which it is placed. t 7

Still another object of this invention is to provide a bridge construction that may be readily shipped in disassembled form.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a bridge construction whose components maybe readily fabricated with a minimum amount of manufacturing equipment and at a minimum of cost.

A final object of this invention is to provide a bridge construction in accordance with the pre'cedingobjects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to erect so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and capable of being assembled by even inexperienced personnel with a minimum of instruction. These together with 'other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like partsthroughout, and in which: v

F 1 is a perspective view of the. bridge of the instant inventionas erected in a desired location;

FIG. 2 is a sideelevational view of the bridge construction; v

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the bridge construction with portions of the decking boards being broken away to more clearly illustrate the structural details of the underlying components of the bridge construction;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse vertical sectional view illustrating the structural details of one of the arched longitudinal side structural members of the bridge construction; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side perspective view of one end of the bridge construction. Referring now more specifically to the drawings the bridge construction is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1. From FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings it may be seen that the bridge construction includes a pair of opposite side arched longitudinal structural members referred to in general by the reference numerals 12 and 14. The structural members 12 and 14 are identical in construction, except that they are right and left-hand structural members, respectively.

Each of the structural members 12 and 14 includes a pair of arched angle members 16 and 18 including vertical flanges 20 and horizontal flanges 22. The angle members 16 and 18 of each longitudinal structural member are inverted relative to each other with the horizontal flanges 22 thereof secured together in threequarter registered stacked relation. The flanges 22 are secured to each other by means of welding 24 and the vertical flanges of the angle members 18 comprise the upper outside vertical flanges of the structural members 12 and 14 while the vertical flanges 16 comprise the inner lower vertical flanges of the structural members 12 and 14. The structural members 12 and 14 additionally include longitudinally extending arched pipe members 26 secured, by welding 28, to the upper mar ginal edges of the upper outside vertical flanges 20.

The structural members 12 and 14 each include apertured mounting ear constructions 30 and 32 secured thereto at points spaced longitudinally therealong and the mounting ear construction 30 and 32 are secured to the inner surfaces of the lower inner vertical flanges 20 of the structural members 12 and 14 in anyconvenient manner. Crossed angle bracing members 34'are secured between the mounting ear constructions 30 and 32 and thus rigidly brace the structural members 12 and 14 relative to each other. In addition, a plurality of elongated transversely extending and side-by-side decking panels or planks 36 are secured between the structural members 12 and 14 at points spaced longitudinally therealong with the oppositeends of the planking members 36 lapped over corresponding portions of the upper horizontal flanges 32 andsecured thereto by means of carriage bolts 38 secured through the opposite ends of the panel members 36 and aligned apertures 40 formed in each pair of corresponding relatively inverted horizontal flanges 22.

The opposite ends of the longitudinal structural members 12 and 14"are cut along a horizontal plane as at 42, see FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, whereby the ends of the bridge 10 may conform to and rest upon horizontal surfaces. In addition, mounting angle brackets 44 having apertured horizontal flanges 46 are secured by welding 48 to the outside surfaces of the opposite ends of the lower inside vertical flanges 20 whereby the opposite ends of the bridge 10 may be secured to anchor bolts projecting upwardly from suitable footing .members (not shown). Finally, opposite end angle mer'nbers50 are secured between corresponding ends of the structural members 12 and 14 in any convenient manner and include upstanding flange portions 52 defining end facing members against which the remote side edges of the opposite end panel members 36 abut.

It will be noted that the opposite side structural members 12 and 14 definearches of constant curvature and it is pointed out that the radius of curvature of the opposite side structural membersl2 and 14 .is substantially equal to twice the span length of the structural members 12 and 14. In this manner, an arched bridge construction of extremely pleasing appearance in side elevation is provided and the approach angles at the opposite ends of the bridge construction 10 are maintained substantially constant for bridge constructions of different lengths.

From FIG. 1 of the drawings it may be seen that the transverse angle members 50.and the endmost panel members 36 project upwardly from the underlying surface of the ground from which the corresponding ends of the bridge is supported. This vertically low step serves to enable the use of a concrete, blacktop or gravel approach at each end of the bridge construction 10 between the longitudinal structure members 12 and 14 which may be graded up to the top of the step and utilized to form a smooth transitional surface between the ground surface upon which the ends of the bridge 10 rest and the endmost decking panel members 36 of the bridge 10.

It is of course to be noted that the panel members 36 may be constructed either of wood or metal and that the bridge construction 10 may be shipped from point of manufacture to point of use in a dissassembled condition with only each set of angle members 16 and 18 and the corresponding curve defining pipe 26 secured together. The bracing members 34 and 50 as well as the decking panel members 36 may be assembled to the longitudinal structural members 12 and 14 at the site upon which the bridge 10 is to be erected.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An elongated longitudinally arched bridge construction including a pair of laterally spaced opposite side arched longitudinal structural members bracingly interconnected intermediate their opposite ends, a decking structure secured and extending along between said structural members, said structural members each having a substantially constant radius of curvature substantially twice the span length of said structural members, said structural members each including a pair of oppositely arched relatively inverted and vertically stacked angle members, each pair of angle members including an outside upper vertical flange and an inwardly directed generally horizontal lower flange, each structural member further including a second lower angle member including an upper outwardly directed horizontal flange and a lower upstanding inner flange, the lower and upper flanges of said upper and lower angle members being disposed in overlapped stacked relation and rigidly secured together, said decking structure including opposite side longitudinal marginal portions thereof overlying and secured to the lower inwardly directed flanges of the corresponding upper angle members.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said decking structure includes a plurality of elongated side-by-side transversely extending decking members spaced longitudinally of said bridge and having their opposite ends overlying said lower flanges and secured thereto by means of through bolts.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said through bolts are also secured through said upper flanges.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the upper marginal edge of the upper outside vertical flange of the upper angle member of each longitudinal structural therealong and rigidly secured thereto defining a smooth reinforcing and curb member. 

1. An elongated longitudinally arched bridge construction including a pair of laterally spaced opposite side arched longitudinal structural members bracingly interconnected intermediate their opposite ends, a decking structure secured and extending along between said structural members, said structural members each having a substantially constant radius of curvature substantially twice the span length of said structural members, said structural members each including a pair of oppositely arched relatively inverted and vertically stacked angle members, each pair of angle members including an outside upper vertical flange and an inwardly directed generally horizontal lower flange, each structural member further including a second lower angle member including an upper outwardly directed horizontal flange and a lower upstanding inner flange, the lower and upper flanges of said upper and lower angle members being disposed in overlapped stacked relation and rigidly secured together, said decking structure including opposite side longitudinal marginal portions thereof overlying and secured to the lower inwardly directed flanges of the corresponding upper angle members.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said decking structure includes a plurality of elongated side-by-side transversely extending decking members spaced longitudinally of said bridge and having their opposite ends overlying said lower flanges and secured thereto by means of through bolts.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said through bolts are also secured through said upper flanges.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the upper marginal edge of the upper outside vertical flange of the upper angle member of each longitudinal structural member includes a cylindrical pipe member extending therealong and rigidly secured thereto defining a smooth reinforcing and curb member. 